Apply for a Scholarship: McKenna Memorial Scholarship 

ABOUT THE MCKENNAS

Elise Mayor McKenna came to Wyoming in 1922, when her family homesteaded in the 4-Mile area. After graduating from Johnson County High School in Buffalo in 1926, she taught school at the Big 4 School on 4-Mile for two years. Ross and Elise were married in 1928 and made Kaycee their home. After raising a family, Elise resumed teaching in 1945 and taught in Kaycee until her retirement in 1971. From 1950 through 1967, Elise sponsored and chaperoned educational tours for Kaycee Junior High groups. Before Kaycee had a regular physical education teacher, Elise taught tumbling, square dancing, tatting, and knitting to the girls. She was a charter member of The Johnson County Education Association and Kaycee P.T.A. Her husband Ross operated the Conoco service station in Kaycee from 1938 through 1978. He was a volunteer weather reporter for the National Weather Bureau for 45 years. He passed away in 1986 at the age of 86. Elise continued to live in Kaycee until 1999 when she moved to New Rockford, North Dakota. Until her death at 98 years, she considered herself a Wyomingite, and, most especially, a Kaycee resident. Ross and Elise always believed in giving back to the community they lived in for most of their lives, and education was very important to Elise.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the McKenna Memorial Scholarship is to honor the memory of Ross and Elise McKenna, long-time residents of Kaycee, by providing financial assistance to graduating seniors of Kaycee High School to further their education.  The Selection Advisory Committee considers a student’s academic record, achievements, financial need, and overall participation in community and extra-curricular activities.

 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Geographic Requirements: Graduating seniors and former graduates of Kaycee High School may apply.
• Academic Requirements: No minimum cumulative GPA required.
• Financial Need: Financial need must be demonstrated through completion of the Financial Aid Affidavit on the  last page of the application form.
• Number and Duration of Awards: One scholarship of at least $750 will be awarded each year.
• Payment of Scholarship: The scholarship is made payable directly to the educational institution, to be applied toward the student’s tuition and fees.
• Other Awards: This scholarship may be accepted in addition to other awards, provided that the combined amount does not exceed the full amount of tuition, books, fees, supplies and equipment required for courses at the educational institution.

 

TERMS OF THE AWARD

• A recipient must be enrolled as a full-time student throughout each term.  Full-time summer school attendance may be counted as one of the terms if sufficient credits are earned.
• If the student receives funds from the school due to non-completion of a term or not attending full-time, those funds are to be returned to the Wyoming Community Foundation.  If the school requirements are not met, but there is no refund, the scholarship grant shall be forfeited for the next term.
• It will be the responsibility of the student to obtain a copy of the grade report at the end of each term and mail it to the Wyoming Community Foundation. 
• Names of recipients will be announced by April 30.  Each candidate will receive an individual letter informing him/her of the status of the application.
   

 

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Application forms can be obtained from the Guidance Department of Kaycee High School and online at the Wyoming Community Foundation (www.wycf.org) website.  Please be thorough and concise in your answers; your writing skills will help the Selection Advisory Committee with its evaluation of your credentials and will be an indication of your potential for success in future training. In addition to the completed application, a transcript of credits is required.  All forms must be fully completed and received by the Wyoming Community Foundation, 313 So. 2nd St., Laramie, WY 82070-3038, by February 1.